not lost ...

''All that wander is not lost.''
~Tolkien

After having mental gymnastics over 'people telling what to do', I remembered this quote and I felt like shouting. I am a seeker - a wanderer of sorts. I do not seek fleshy answers. I have this insatiable appetite for growth and learning but the only time I have that full factor is when I am seeking the Word of God. I am definitely NOT lost! I know Who will fill me up.

I do seek aloud and many people start inserting their own views. It frustrates me. I need to speak so keeping some things is difficult to do especially when I don't have a conversation partner. That is why I blog and tweet. It is a way to get the stuff out. I know the blog has helped. Yet, I still get those occasional people who like to tell it like it is according to them. I usually end up deleting their comments. Maybe I need to have a t-shirt made with this quote. Oh, to find a listener - one understands the art of conversation, the give and take, and the importance of asking good questions.

Maybe it speaks of the age we are in. Forget listening. Lets just spout out. Lets live outside the box. Lets spatter ourselves over each other.

individual vs community ...

The word is that there are no words for the Opening Ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics. It was pure magic and ingenious to an extreme. I keep trying to go over the many visuals like a student at the feet of a master. It had the yin yang thing going on where the contrasts were put together. You had soft next to loud, child next to solder, simple next to complex, and tall next to small. I liked everything from the massive drums to the writing blocks done with human power to the green starmen to the globe with walking men to the touch lighting to the piece of artwork that was made through out the night including the march of athletes making the canvas come alive with color not to mention the child drawing in a smiley face for the sun. Just too beautiful because as I say I loved one, I go to the next and say I love it too.

As I was watching the printing blocks go up and down and the camera was taking in all the angles, I just knew that people where under those making them work before the secret was revealed by all of them popping through with huge smiles. I just could not help but think on the 2008 drummers and these printing blocks (etc) about the huge amount of people coming together and making this work in precise patterns. It is the Chinese picture. Few in power with many working together for the common cause unlike here in the USA where our actions are more individualistic. (I must note that both are creative in there own way.) I will never think one is better than the other because there should be a balance. Rather, my thoughts strayed to the concept of relationships in China.

If the people work together with such precision are they ever lonely? Do they ever want for companionship? Do they ever feel the need to step out of their box and let everything hang out? If they don't have little outburst episodes, aren't they hiding? Hmmm, just thinking aloud.

I am more of an individual type of person more because of how I am made. I don't follow the crowd because ... oh well, just because! I see a different way open before me and yet I carry this burden of aloneness. I keep seeking and so I wander ! And Tolkien said "All that wonder are not lost." {!!!}

not giving up ...

I love my Rings movies. A huge thank you to a co-worker who lent me the movies and tempted me to read the book. It has been 4 years since. The first and second time I read and watched the movies all I could think of was war. The third year I watched the movies and all I could think of was depression. Now the forth year and all I can think of was not giving up. There were sooooo many times Frodo wanted to give up not just mentally but physically. I know the feeling of being so tired that the easiest thing to do is give up. However, I have never been so beaten up like Frodo. It could be possible that I would not pass the test. I am here and alive. I have been a tenacious lot and giving up is so not my style. So much not my style that I kind of detest the giving up one sees in others. I love how the Rings show worth and honor in the fight and in sticking it out with the ones you have pledged to endure the adventure with.

I dearly love Sam and I feel most kin too. I have to peal my eyes off him and his story to the other characters like Aragorn & Arwen. Especially in movie two, I was very ticked off by Aragorn's eyes seemingly to take in another woman instead of Arwen who had told Aragorn that she would give up being an elf and become mortal. Aragorn who is a warrior through and through faltered with his love towards Arwen. I being a fan of love stories and tenacity was chalking it up that men just play games with girls hearts and here we go again allowing them to do so. This time for some silly reason my heart gave Aragorn a small glimmer of a chance to redeem himself. Arwen promised and pleaded with him to trust and believe in their love. Aragorn away at war I think began to wonder if he himself could allow Arwen to become mortal. But the other side of me is sooooo sick and tired of the guy not trusting the girl. Not every girl out there is going to be a fallen Eve. There are those of us that come from the Redeemed Eves. Anyways! He did pull through and did not give up on Arwen even though he seemed surprised to see her there when he was crowned king.

I am all about not giving up. The book/movie is all about decorating the 'not giving up' with honor. It makes you walk away daydreaming of a day when honor reigned supreme all across the land. Then you are awaken by blares of alarm clocks and horns and rude people. That is way I keep going back to the movies and will eventually reread the book. I want honor and valor in my life. It makes you feel worthy of the life you are given!

'whatever is noble - think on these things!' Phil 4:8 We are made for nobility!!!